DOCSLIB.ORG

Public Procurement, Fair Trade Governance and Sustainable

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Fair Trade Governance, Public Procurement and Sustainable Development: A case study of Malawian rice in Scotland This thesis is submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Alastair M. Smith Department of City and Regional Planning, Cardiff University May 2011 DECLARATION This work has not previously been accepted in substance for any degree and is not concurrently submitted in candidature for any degree. Signed ………………………………………… (candidate) Date ………………………… STATEMENT 1 This thesis is being submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of …………………………(insert MCh, MD, MPhil, PhD etc, as appropriate) Signed ………………………………………… (candidate) Date ………………………… STATEMENT 2 This thesis is the result of my own independent work/investigation, except where otherwise stated. Other sources are acknowledged by explicit references. Signed ………………………………………… (candidate) Date ………………………… STATEMENT 3 I hereby give consent for my thesis, if accepted, to be available for photocopying and for inter-library loan, and for the title and summary to be made available to outside organisations. Signed ………………………………………… (candidate) Date ………………………… i ii Abstract/Summary This thesis provides an account of the way in which meaning associated with the term ‘fair trade’ is negotiated within a number of discrete, yet interrelated communities, in a way which influences stakeholder understanding of the concept – and as a result, structures the way in which public procurement strategies integrate fair trade governance into their operation. Building from the identification of ‘fair trade’ governance as a means to embed the intra- generational social justice concerns of sustainable development within the public procurement system, the thesis investigates how the ambiguous meaning of fair trade is reconciled in discourse and practice. Specifically focusing on the case study of Scotland – where Local Authorities are involved in a complex network of state and private governance initiatives – investigation reveals that despite various influences to the contrary, fair trade is strongly conflated with certification administered by the dominant global fair trade certifying body, Fairtrade International (FLO). However, exceptions are argued to demonstrate an active negotiation of this domination over meaning. In particular, one Authority has purchased ‘fairly traded’ Kilombero rice – produced by members of the National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (NASFAM) – as part of its fair trade strategy, by accepting claims of fairness not on the basis of external certification, but on trust from a socially orientated import organisation. Extending the study along the supply chain, investigation reveals that while the producer organisation sees fair trade as beneficial to their overall objectives, they identify significant limitations with the FLO approach. For this reason they have pursued World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) accreditation in order to back their claims to fair trade operation. As such, the dominance of FLO certification is seen to be actively contested as part of a wider dynamic in which different approaches vie to influence the understanding, and therefore the praxis of stakeholders. iii iv Acknowledgements There is no question that the completion of this thesis would never have been possible without the extensive and good mannered assistance of a great number of individuals. First and foremost I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to my supervisors: Dr. Roberta Sonnino Dr. Adrian Morley and Prof. Terry Marsden. It was Roberta’s innovative mind which conceived the importance of research into the relationship between fair trade governance and public sector procurement, and the on-going intellectual, professional and personal guidance of Roberta and Adrian has been a huge influence on my work and life in general. I’d also like to acknowledge the role of Kevin Morgan for his contributions over the years – particularly in difficult times. As with all research initiatives, the collection and generation of data for analysis is key to the endeavours. For this reason, I am hugely grateful to all those who gave their time during fieldwork. In particular, I would like to acknowledge Andrew Parker of Imani Development who proved the living embodiment of a dream key informant and gatekeeper: not only introducing me to many other individuals, but actually, on occasions, driving me for nine hours so that I might meet them face to face. John Riches also played a central role in the development of the research project – not least due to his lifelong commitment in developing ‘fair trade’ relations between Scotland and Africa. I’m grateful to Kim Eddie for his companionship while living in the field in Malawi, and Francis Chiwaya and John Masangali who made my time in Karonga so smooth and enjoyable. For the latter I will do my utmost to honour my promise. Beyond these individuals, I am extremely grateful to all those who I have interviewed – a full list of whom can be found in Appendix 7 – and especially to those who gave additional time to read my interpretation of their reality in order to maximise the internal rigour of this project. Finally, the pursuit of this research would never have been possible without the unwavering support of my parents. I hope this manuscript will go someway to assist them in explaining to others, a little more easily, quite what I have been doing for the past three and a half years. v vi Table of Content DECLARATION I ABSTRACT/SUMMARY III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS V TABLE OF CONTENT VII NOTE ON CITATIONS FOR INTERVIEWS AND WEB PAGES XI GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS XIII INTRODUCTION 1 STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS 3 CHAPTER ONE: PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 11 THE INTELLECTUAL ARCHAEOLOGY OF ‘SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT’ 12 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: INTEGRATING THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSIONS OF DEVELO PMENT 14 CONTESTED INTERPRETATIONS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 16 ‘GOVERNANCE’ FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 19 THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF UK PUBLIC PROCUREMENT 23 THE UK'S ‘CREATIVE’ PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AGENDA 27 THE PUBLIC PLATE: A MORE HOLISTIC ACCOUNT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT? 28 THE UK GOVERNMENT AND “FAIR TRADE” PUBLIC PROCUREMENT 35 SOME CONCLUSIONS 38 CHAPTER TWO: A CRITICAL EXPLORATION OF FAIR TRADE GOVERNANCE 41 THE HISTORY OF FAIR TRADE: A MULTIFACETED BEGINNING 42 FROM ALTERNATIVE TO FAIR TRADE: THE INSTITUTIONALISATION OF FAIR TRADE IN FLO CERTIFICATION 44 PARALLEL APPROACHES TO FAIR TRADE 50 THE RISE OF WFTO CERTIFICATION 53 UNITARY DISCOURSE AND HETEROGENEOUS PRACTICE OF FAIR TRADE 55 EMPIRICAL UNDERSTANDING OF FAIR TRADE TYPOLOGIES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES 59 “ETHICAL TRADE”: BACKGROUND AND COMPET ITION WITH FAIR TRAD E 64 CERTIFICATION FOR CONSUMPTION: THE RISE OF A FAIRTRADE MONOPOLY? 67 SOME CONCLUSIONS 71 vii CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH APPROACH AND METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS 75 PROBLEMS OF DEFINING FAIR TRADE AS A RESEARCH CONCEPT: THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPLORING THE MEANING OF FAIR TRADE IN CONTEXT 75 ONTOLOGICAL AND EPISTEMOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS 77 IDENTIFYING AN ‘EMBEDDED’ CASE STUDY 80 RESEARCH METHODS 85 ANALYTICAL APPROACH 88 RESEARCH ETHICS 90 INFORMED CONSENT 90 ISSUES OF HARM AND EMPOWERMENT 92 RELIABILITY AND REPRESENTATIVENESS 94 CHAPTER 4: SCOTLAND AND THE FAIR TRADE NATION PROGRAMME 99 FAIR TRADE IN THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT’S DEVELOPMENT POLICY 101 THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FAIR TRADE NATION PROGRAMME 102 NEGOTIATING THE CRITERIA FOR A FAIR TRADE NATION 103 SCOTLAND AND THE FAIR TRADE NATION PROGRAMME 108 FAIR TRADE PROCUREMENT IN GOVERNMENT POLICY 110 FAIR TRADE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLICY AND PRACTICE 120 FAIRLY TRADED KILOMBERO RICE IN EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE 124 CHAPTER FIVE: WHO SHOUTS THE LOUDEST? NEGOTIATING THE MEANING OF FAIR TRADE IN PRODUCER COUNTRIES 131 MALAWI: THE DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT 131 THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF AGRICULTURE IN MALAWI 132 SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE IN MALAWI: A CONTEXT FOR FAIR TRAD E? 133 HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL SMALLHOLDER FARMERS ASSOCIATION OF MALAWI: AN EMERGING COMMERCIAL INTEREST IN FAIR TRADE 138 THE VARYING INTERPRETATIONS OF FAIR TRADE: THE WIDER MALAWIAN CONTEXT 147 NASFAM AND COFTA: A WAY AROUND THE PROBLEMS OF FLO? 157 SOME CONCLUSIONS 163 CHAPTER SIX: PUBLIC PROCUREMENT, FAIR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 165 NEGOTIATING THE MEANING OF FAIR TRADE: DISCRETE, INTERRELATED COMMUN ITIES OF INTER-SUBJECTIVELY CONSTRUCTED MEANING 167 1) THE MEANING OF A ‘FAIR TRADE’ NATION 168 2) FAIR TRADE GOVERNANCE IN SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT POLICY 171 3) “FAIRTRADE ABSOLUTISM ” OR FLEXIBILITY FROM THE FAIRTRADE FOUNDATION? 172 4) THE MEANING OF FAIR TRADE FOR SCOTTISH LOCAL AUTHORITIES 173 5) THE MEANING OF FAIR TRADE IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN 177 6) MALAWI AND BEYOND 180 NEGOTIATING THE MEANING OF FAIR TRADE: INTERNATIONAL ISSUES AND THE RELATIONSHIP WITH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 181 SOME CONCLUSIONS 191 viii OVERALL CONCLUSIONS: MALAWIAN RICE IN SCOTTISH PUBLIC PROCUREMENT 193 ADDRESSING THE RESEARCH QUESTIONS : A SUMMARY 197 BEYOND EMPIRICAL FINDINGS : SOME THEORETICAL PROPOSITIONS 203 LIMITATIONS OF THE CURRENT STUDY, FUTURE RESEARCH POSSIBILITIES AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS 204 FINAL THOUGHTS 208 BIBLIOGRAPHY 209 APPENDICES 243 APPENDIX 1: APPLICABILITY OF PRODUCT STANDARDS 243 APPENDIX 2: TEN IFAT/WFTO FAIR TRADE PRINCIPLES 244 APPENDIX 3: FIVE CORE PRINCIPLES OF FAIR TRADE ESTABLISHED BY THE CHARTER OF FAIR TRADE PRINCIPLE 246 APPENDIX 4: THE TRANSITION OF PRACTICES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FLO CERTIFICATION 247 APPENDIX 5: FLO REQUIREMENTS
Recommended publications
  • The Gospel and Globalization

    The Gospel and Globalization

    the Gospel and Globalization Exploring the Religious Roots of a Globalized World Edited by Michael W. Goheen Erin G. Glanville Regent College Press • Geneva Society Vancouver, B.C., Canada THE GOSPEL AND GLOBALIZATION: EXPLORING THE RELIGIOUS ROOTS OF A GLOBALIZED WORLD Copyright © 2009 Regent College Publishing All rights reserved. Published 2009 by REGENT COLLEGE PUBLISHING 5800 University Boulevard / Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2E4 / Canada / www.regentpublishing.com with GENEVA SOCIETY www.genevasociety.org Cover image by Ben Goheen Typeset by Dan Postma No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher or the Copyright Licensing Agency. Views expressed in works published by Regent College Publishing are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of Regent College (www.regent-college.edu). Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication The Gospel and globalization : exploring the religious roots of a globalized world / edited by Michael W. Goheen and Erin G. Glanville. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-1-57383-440-7 1. Globalization—Religious aspects—Christianity. 2. Globalization— Religious aspects—Islam. 3. Capitalism—Religious aspects—Christianity. 4. Capitalism—Religious aspects—Islam. 5. Globalization—Moral and ethical aspects. 6. Globalization—Economic aspects. 7. Christian ethics. 8. World politics. I. Goheen, Michael W., 1955- II. Glanville, Erin G., 1980- BL65.G55G68 2009 201’.7 C2009-902767-4 For Phoebe Shalom, because the future is secure Table of Contents Preface 7 Introduction 11 Michael W. Goheen and Erin G.
  • Experiences of the Fair Trade Movement

    Experiences of the Fair Trade Movement

    SEED WORKING PAPER No. 30 Creating Market Opportunities for Small Enterprises: Experiences of the Fair Trade Movement by Andy Redfern and Paul Snedker InFocus Programme on Boosting Employment through Small EnterprisE Development Job Creation and Enterprise Department International Labour Office · Geneva Copyright © International Labour Organization 2002 First published 2002 Publications of the International Labour Office enjoy copyright under Protocol 2 of the Universal Copyright Convention. Nevertheless, short excerpts from them may be reproduced without authorization, on condition that the source is indicated. For rights of reproduction or translation, application should be made to the Publications Bureau (Rights and Permissions), International Labour Office, CH-1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland. The International Labour Office welcomes such applications. Libraries, institutions and other users registered in the United Kingdom with the Copyright Licensing Agency, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4LP [Fax: (+44) (0)20 7631 5500; e-mail: [email protected]], in the United States with the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923 [Fax: (+1) (978) 750 4470; e-mail: [email protected]] or in other countries with associated Reproduction Rights Organizations, may make photocopies in accordance with the licences issued to them for this purpose. ILO Creating Market Opportunities for Small Enterprises: Experiences of the Fair Trade Movement Geneva, International Labour Office, 2002 ISBN 92-2-113453-9 The designations employed in ILO publications, which are in conformity with United Nations practice, and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the International Labour Office concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers.
  • Fair Trade 1 Fair Trade

    Fair Trade 1 Fair Trade

    Fair trade 1 Fair trade For other uses, see Fair trade (disambiguation). Part of the Politics series on Progressivism Ideas • Idea of Progress • Scientific progress • Social progress • Economic development • Technological change • Linear history History • Enlightenment • Industrial revolution • Modernity • Politics portal • v • t [1] • e Fair trade is an organized social movement that aims to help producers in developing countries to make better trading conditions and promote sustainability. It advocates the payment of a higher price to exporters as well as higher social and environmental standards. It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine,[2] fresh fruit, chocolate, flowers, and gold.[3] Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seek greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South. Fair Trade Organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.[4] There are several recognized Fairtrade certifiers, including Fairtrade International (formerly called FLO/Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International), IMO and Eco-Social. Additionally, Fair Trade USA, formerly a licensing
  • What Is Fair Trade?

    What Is Fair Trade?

    What is Fair Trade? . A system of exchange that honors producers, communities, consumers and the environment. A model for the global economy rooted in people-to-people connections, justice and sustainability. A commitment to building long-term relationships between producers and consumers. A way of life! Fair Trade - Criteria . Paying a fair wage . Giving employees opportunities for advancement . Providing equal employment opportunities for all people, particularly the most disadvantaged . Engaging in environmentally sustainable practices Fair Trade - Criteria . Being open to public accountability . Building sustainable long-term trade relationships . Providing healthy and safe working conditions . Providing financial and technical assistance to producers whenever possible What does the Fair Trade label look like? What does the Fair Trade label mean? Fair Price Democratically organized groups receive a minimum floor price and an additional premium for certified organic agricultural products. Farmer organizations are also eligible for pre-harvest credit. Artisan groups and cooperatives receive a fair living wage for the time it takes to make a product. What does the Fair Trade label mean? Fair Labor Conditions Workers on fair trade farms and other environments enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited. What does the Fair Trade label mean? Direct trade Importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlepersons and empowering farmers and others to develop the business capacity needed to compete in the global marketplace. What does the Fair Trade label mean? Democratic and transparent organizations Workers decide democratically how to invest Fair Trade revenues. What does the Fair Trade label mean? Environmental Sustainability Harmful agrochemicals and GMOs are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers’ health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations.
  • Fair Trade: Social Regulation in Global Food Markets

    Fair Trade: Social Regulation in Global Food Markets

    Journal of Rural Studies 28 (2012) 276e287 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Journal of Rural Studies journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jrurstud Fair Trade: Social regulation in global food markets Laura T. Raynolds* Center for Fair & Alternative Trade, Sociology Department, Clark Building, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States abstract Keywords: This article analyzes the theoretical and empirical parameters of social regulation in contemporary global Regulation food markets, focusing on the rapidly expanding Fair Trade initiative. Fair Trade seeks to transform Globalization North/South relations by fostering ethical consumption, producer empowerment, and certified Fair Trade commodity sales. This initiative joins an array of labor and environmental standard and certification Certification systems which are often conceptualized as “private regulations” since they depend on the voluntary participation of firms. I argue that these new institutional arrangements are better understood as “social regulations” since they operate beyond the traditional bounds of private and public (corporate and state) domains and are animated by individual and collective actors. In the case of Fair Trade, I illuminate how relational and civic values are embedded in economic practices and institutions and how new quality assessments are promoted as much by social movement groups and loosely aligned consumers and producers as they are by market forces. This initiative’s recent commercial success has deepened price competition and buyer control and eroded its traditional peasant base, yet it has simultaneously created new openings for progressive politics. The study reveals the complex and contested nature of social regulation in the global food market as movement efforts move beyond critique to institution building.
  • Devolution, Nation-Building and Development Assistance

    Devolution, Nation-Building and Development Assistance

    Devolution, Nation-Building and Development Assistance: A Case Study of the Welsh Government’s Wales for Africa Programme Kathleen Mulready This thesis is submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Geography and Planning Cardiff University 2017 Abstract Devolution, Nation-Building and Development Assistance A Case Study of the Welsh Government’s Wales for Africa programme Abstract This study explores Wales for Africa, the Welsh Government’s international development programme. It particularly considers the issues of political decentralisation, and participation in development assistance, on the making of national identity in contemporary Wales. Using a case study methodology, and a conceptual framework of the sub-state and the citizen as development actor, it explores how notions of Welsh subjectivity are tied to iterations of national identity and civic value, constructed around the concept of sustainable development, and ideas of mutual benefit and reciprocity in international development. It focuses specifically on community-based development organisations linked with partner organisations in sub- Saharan Africa. Although the potential benefits of citizen-led development initiatives to right-based approaches are recognised, little attention has previously been paid to the role of international development to sub-state nation-building. The study seeks to address this gap. Situated within the field of interpretive policy analysis, the thesis adopts a context sensitive approach focussed on how a political narrative around nationhood and civic value has been constructed around Wales’ development activities as a symbol of an alternative nation. Beginning with political devolution, the timeframe of the study ends at October 2016.
  • Additional Information About the U.S. Economy, Top U.S. Imports, Sector Websites, and Consumer Good Marketing

    Additional Information About the U.S. Economy, Top U.S. Imports, Sector Websites, and Consumer Good Marketing

    Additional Information about the U.S. Economy, Top U.S. Imports, Sector Websites, and Consumer Good Marketing 1.) U.S. Economy (2007) • GDP - $13.78 Trillion • Population – 304 million • GDP – per capita - $45,800 people • GDP – composition by sector • Labor Force – 153.1 million o Services – 79% (including unemployed) o Agriculture – 1.2% • Exports - $1.148 trillion o Industry – 19.8% • Imports $1.968 trillion 2.) Top U.S. Imports (2007) Product Share (by %) 1) Mineral fuel, oil, etc. 18.7 14) Iron/Steel Products 1.62 2) Machinery 12.8 15) Toys And Sports Equipment 1.59 3) Electrical machinery 12.7 16) Iron And Steel 1.31 4) Auto, bus & truck vehicles 11.0 17) Aircraft, Spacecraft 1.12 5) Computers & telephones 2.75 18) Salvaged & recycled goods 1.08 6) Pharmaceutical products 2.50 19) Footwear 0.99 7) Precious stones, metals 2.43 20) Rubber 0.96 8) Organic chemicals 2.31 TOTAL 100.0 9) Furniture and bedding 2.09 10) Auto parts 2.01 Source: U.S. Department of 11) Knit Apparel 1.94 Commerce, Bureau of Census 12) Woven Apparel 1.92 13) Plastic 1.76 3.) Sector-Specific Contact Information for Standards and Regulations a. Textiles and Apparel http://web.ita.doc.gov/tacgi/labeling2.nsf/ http://web.ita.doc.gov/tacgi/eamain.nsf/6e1600e39721316c852570ab0056f719/448cd661f6 48520c8525739a005a725a?OpenDocument b. Mining/Marble: National Mining Association: http://www.nma.org/ Contacts: Moya Phelleps Senior Vice President, Member Services Emily Schlect International Policy Analyst c. Jewelry: http://www.ita.doc.gov/td/ocg/jewelry.htm 1 d.
  • Bringing Quality to Life

    Bringing Quality to Life

    CAFÉDIRECT PLC ANNUAL REPORT OCTOber 2006 – September 2007 BRINGING QUALITY TO LIFE chairman’s message Welcome to our Annual Report for 2006/07 Last year I mentioned we were strengthening our foundations and I’m pleased to say the results of this have shown through very positively. Despite ever increasing competition, the business is more profitable and there has been a modest improvement in UK sales. We have continued to provide a strong social return and as a result of high quality financial and supply chain management, our cash balance is much healthier. The social return has meant further investment in our Producer Partnership Programme (PPP), benefiting our growers, their businesses, and their communities. Our increase in profits and cash has meant greater reserves to withstand any turmoil in the world markets that might affect us. CAFÉDIRECT PLC 02 ANNUAL REPORT 2006/07 There has also been solid progress on Cafédirect and the world of Fairtrade, developing sales into new markets in Asia. and further wish her the very best in all However, we have not yet embarked on her future endeavours. the expansion ideas that I previewed with Following a thorough and extensive you at the AGM last year. There are two search for her successor, I am also very reasons for this postponement. Firstly, it was pleased to announce that Anne MacCaig apparent at the last AGM that support for a has been appointed, and will be joining significant expansion was divided amongst us as our new CEO from 11 March 2008. shareholders, both very positive and very Anne has over 20 years of experience in negative.
  • Equal Exchange Annual Report 2013

    Equal Exchange Annual Report 2013

    EQUAL EXCHANGE ANNUAL REPORT 2013 mario pÉrez, a coffee farmer and member of COMSA Co-op in Honduras, with a young coffee plant. His farm has been severely affected by coffee leaf rust. See more from the field on p. 6-7. “WE HAVE BEEN LEADERS IN THIS FIGHT. AND WE HAVE HAD SOME SUCCESSES AND SOME FAILURES. WE HAVE HAD LOTS OF CHALLENGES, BUT YOU WILL NEVER HAVE PROOF OF YOUR SUCCESS IF YOU DON’T TRY.” Margarito Lucas Miguel, below left, a member of Flor del Café Co-op in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala ii From the Office of the Executive Directors Check it Out Through our Charitable Contributions we gave away a portion of pre-tax profits to allied organizations like Fair World Project, Red Tomato, and the InterReligious Task Onwards Force on Central America. & Upwards By Rob Everts & Rink Dickinson, Co-Executive Directors Expansion in products, alliances and geography drove much of our work and increased sales in 2013. On sales of $56.1 million, after charitable contributions and worker-owner patronage disbursements, we realized net income before taxes of $2.7 million. We tried to match the urgent need for markets of small-scale farmers with products that our loyal base of OUR MISSION accounts could competitively offer their customers. Organic To build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, cashews from India and El Salvador, organic mangos from to foster mutually beneficial relationships between Burkina Faso, and flame raisins from Chile were among those farmers and consumers and to demonstrate, through our success, that reached store shelves and congregations in 2013.
  • Can Scotland Still Call Itself a Fair Trade Nation?

    Can Scotland Still Call Itself a Fair Trade Nation?

    Can Scotland still call itself a Fair Trade Nation? A report by the Scottish Fair Trade Forum JANUARY 2017 CAN SCOTLAND STILL CALL ITSELF A FAIR TRADE NATION? Scottish Fair Trade Forum Robertson House 152 Bath Street Glasgow G2 4TB +44 (0)141 3535611 www.sftf.org.uk www.facebook.com/FairTradeNation www.twitter.com/FairTradeNation [email protected] Scottish charity number SC039883 Scottish registered company number SC337384. Acknowledgements The Scottish Fair Trade Forum is very grateful for the help and advice received during the preparation of this report. We would like to thank everyone who has surveys and those who directly responded been involved, especially the Assessment to our personalised questionnaires: Andrew Panel members, Patrick Boase (social auditor Ashcroft (Koolskools Founding Partner), registered with the Social Audit Network UK Amisha Bhattarai (representative of Get Paper who chaired the Assessment Panel), Dr Mark Industry – GPI, Nepal), Mandira Bhattarai Hayes (Honorary Fellow in the Department of (representative of Get Paper Industry – GPI, Theology and Religion at Durham University, Nepal), Rudi Dalvai (President of the World Chair of the WFTO Appeals Panel and Fair Trade Organisation – WFTO), Patricia principal founder of Shared Interest), Penny Ferguson (Former Convener of the Cross Newman OBE (former CEO of Cafédirect and Party Group on Fair Trade in the Scottish currently a Trustee of Cafédirect Producers’ Parliament), Elen Jones (National Coordinator Foundation and Drinkaware), Sir Geoff Palmer at Fair Trade Wales),
  • Fairtrade County Borough Status

    Fairtrade County Borough Status

    MERTHYR TYDFIL COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL Civic Centre, Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8AN Main Tel: 01685 725000 www.merthyr.gov.uk CABINET REPORT Date Written 12 th May 2011 Report Author Alyn Owen Service Area Customer Services Committee Division Cabinet Committee Date 12 th October 2011 To: Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen Fairtrade County Borough Status PURPOSE OF THE REPORT: To update Cabinet on progress in implementing the Fairtrade Initiative within the town centre and to seek approval to extend this to the wider County Borough area. The report also seeks approval to amend the current LA franking machine to include a postage mark reflecting Merthyr Tydfil’s Fair Trade status and to consider a request to only provide Fairtrade products for sale in all Council run outlets 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 1.1 On 28 th July 2008, Cabinet agreed to build on the successful Fairtrade Town campaign by approving the development of the Fairtrade County Borough Initiative. 2.0 IMPLEMENTATION 2.1 On 9 th November 2009, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough achieved Fairtrade County status. In achieving this status the Local Authority had implement five objectives developed by Fair Trade Wales in agreement with the Welsh Assembly Government, the Scottish Government, and the Scottish Fair Trade Forum in consultation with the Fairtrade Foundation. The status was renewed for a year on February 28 th 2011 2.2 The five objectives were: • The Council to pass a resolution to support Fairtrade, committing to serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings, offices and any food outlets. • A range of Fairtrade products is readily available in shops across the County Borough.
  • Kongressprogramm Congress Programme

    Kongressprogramm Congress Programme

    BioFach 2012 Vivaness AKTUELLE VERSION UPDATED VERSION Kongressprogramm Congress programme 15. – 18. Februar 2012 | 15 – 18 February 2012 BioFach Vivaness | kongress | congress Ebenenübersicht NCC Ost Plan of floors NCC Ost NCC Mitte Halle 9 | Hall 9 BioFach • Vivaness 2012 | Seite | page 2 Vorträge in Deutsch / Seminars in German Seminars in English / Vorträge in Englisch inhalt | content foren | forums 4 – 5 | Nachhaltigkeits Forum | Sustainability Forum Wie kann Nach- haltigkeit gemessen und verständlich vermittelt werden? How can sustainability be measured and communicated in an understandable way? 6 – 7 | Fachhandels Forum Wie kann sich der Fachhandel weiter etablieren? Wie können Händler Kunden binden und neue gewinnen? How to establish the position of specialised organic retail and how to win customers? 8 – 9 | Vivaness Forum Wie können sich Kosmetikhersteller differenzieren? Wie entwickelt sich der Markt? How can cosmetic manufacturers distinguish themselves from the competition? How is the market developing? 10 | oGrastro F um | HoReCa Forum Welche Rolle spielt Nachhaltigkeit in der Gastronomie? Wie kann die Wirtschaftlichkeit gewährleistet werden? What role does sustainability play? How can profitability be ensured? 11 | Fair Forum Wie können sich Fair Trade und Bio gegenseitig stützen? Was sind gemeinsame Ziele und Strategien? How can fair trade and organic support each other? What joint goals and strategies are there? 12 | Textil Forum | Textile Forum Wie können Handelskanäle weiter aus- gebaut werden? Welchen Fasern gehört die Zukunft? How can the trading channels be further developed? What fibres will be the future hits? 13 | Wein Forum | Wine Forum Wie wichtig werden neue Aspekte im Weinbau? Wie entwickelt sich der Markt national und international? How important are new aspects in winegrowing? How is the market developing nationally and internationally? programm | programme 14 – 30 | Alle Details | Full details Termine, Inhalte, Referenten.